Cam Chain Tensioner bits

[AndyD]

Hi,
Finally getting around to doing some work on the CB400F and have been going through boxes of bits and cleaning parts to start working out what needs replacing etc.
As a first area I've pulled together the cam chain tensioner parts and have a couple of questions - hopefully photos attached show relevant bits.
The horseshoe has been savaged by the cam chain and is stiff to move - is the damage too bad or is it OK to 'tidy' this up so the pivot moves smoothly and re-use?
The two chain guides are still flexible and no sign of cracks etc. - should these be replaced or OK to retain?
Looks like someone got creative with the special bolt and made this one up from a standard bolt so I'll replace this

Trying to keep budget down on this rebuild as the bike is a bit tired and lots of non-standard parts - had a good but hard life by the look of it - hence trying to reuse whatever is reasonable rather than bring back to original glory.

Cheers,
Andy [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Bryanj]

If you can get the horseshoe pivot to move freely under its own weight it ought to be OK the bolt/nut whilst not original will work but leak oil as there should be a sealing washer between nut and crankcase with a bigger thread on nut to bolt, the cushion looks OK  and the tensioner is not badly worn and can be changed without a majour stripdown anyway

[AndyD]

Thanks
I’ll give the horseshoe a clean up and see if it frees up OK
Good news that other bits look alright

Cheers
Andy

[Trigger]

I have freed these of by cutting a slit down both sides. It is always worth a go as, you have nothing to lose. It has to move very freely as in pick it up and gravity should make it drop with no help 

[Nurse Julie]

How exciting. Its great that yourself and Waffey are working on your 400/4 engines at the same time..... Good luck to you both and I hope all goes well for you both .

[Greg65]

For comparison here’s my horse shoe with damage. I used a needle file to remove the burrs and exercised it till it was free.

[Trigger]

For comparison here’s my horse shoe with damage. I used a needle file to remove the burrs and exercised it till it was free.

That's a good one.

[Bryanj]

Trot or Gallop?

[Bryanj]

Both of you use Loctite on the bolts holding the horseshoe seen a few fall out

[Greg65]

A light canter to the nearest pub. Cheers

[waffey]

Hi AndyD,

as Nurse Julie said, great we are both working on engines at the moment. //great pictures, looks like your horse shoe has wear at the top, now i'm wondering if mine is the same and that explains the few metals bits in the sump. i'll check to morrow.

did you have any metal bits in the sump filter?

[ka-ja]

Check the crankcase in the cam chain area (tunnel) for chain marks.

[Bryanj]

Yup, had a 750 once where the oil leak was from where the cam chain had worn a hole through the casting. Its a long recovery journey Gloucester to Newcastle(upon Tyne) and back in a day

[AndyD]

Many thanks all,
Had a happy session in the garage with files and Dremel and horseshoe now moves really freely so that's a real result (money saved to spend elsewhere no doubt!).
Final question re the cam chain tensioner - I assume the two dampers shown in the parts book either end of the slipper are sitting inside the two end 'cups' - all looks OK so do these need replacing or are they generally OK to leave alone?

Waffey - will be interesting to see how both engines get on.
I got this bike as a basket case in many pieces and the engine was part-dismantled so I couldn't check for any debris in the filter etc. Just going through everything as carefully as I can to see what needs fixing and so far it doesn't look too bad to my inexperienced eyes.
The previous owner had taken off the sump, cylinder head and a few other parts, had them blasted and then gave up and boxed it all up so it's a mish-mash of bits at the moment.

Cheers,
Andy

[Trigger]

If they are brittle or showing any cracks they will need replacing